Numbers 28:18

On the first day there is to be a sacred assembly; you must not do any regular work.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — God commands Moses to instruct the Israelites on the observance of the seven-day Feast of Unleavened Bread.

The words — The text specifies מִקְרָא־קֹדֶשׁ (mik.ra'-Ko.desh), literally a "convocation of holiness," and prohibits כָּל־מְלֶכֶת עֲבֹדָה (kol-me.Le.khet 'a.vo.Dah), meaning "any work of servitude."

The thread — This identical instruction for the first day of the feast appears in Exodus 12:16 and Leviticus 23:7.

Why it lands — The directive requires complete cessation of ordinary labor on the opening day of the feast. Readers must treat the day as set apart for communal gathering rather than routine activity.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

בַּיּ֥וֹםba/i.Yom[will be] on the/ day הָרִאשׁ֖וֹןha./ri.Shon<the>/ first מִקְרָא־mik.ra'-a convocation of קֹ֑דֶשׁKo.deshholiness כָּל־kol-any מְלֶ֥אכֶתme.Le.khetwork of עֲבֹדָ֖ה'a.vo.Dahservitude לֹ֥אlo'not תַעֲשֽׂוּ׃ta.'a.Suyou will do

King James Version

In the first day shall be an holy convocation; ye shall do no manner of servile work therein:

Cross-references

Exodus 12:16 On the first day you are to hold a sacred assembly, and another on the seventh day. You must not do any work on those days, except to prepare the meals—that is all you may do.
Leviticus 23:7 On the first day you are to hold a sacred assembly; you are not to do any regular work.